Publication Date: Wednesday, November 09, 2005
News Digest
News Digest
(November 09, 2005)
Meetings focus on Palo Alto's libraries
The Palo Alto City Library is hosting two meetings this week.
The first meeting, about the library system's Downtown branch, is being held on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Downtown Branch Library at 270 Forest Ave. Its purpose is to offer neighbors the opportunity to see changes in the floor plan of the Downtown branch that will be implemented when library-support operations are relocated from the Main Library and discuss neighbors' priorities for services and collections offered at the branch.
Library Director Paula Simpson will host the meeting.
The second meeting is about the upcoming library survey. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Art Center Auditorium at 1313 Newell Road.
Representatives from Godbe Research, the firm retained by the City to conduct the survey, will present the Library's objectives for the survey and provide an overview of the survey methodology. Simpson and members of the Library Advisory Commission will join the Godbe team in taking suggestions from residents.
The results of the completed survey will be used to develop the Library Advisory Commission's long-range plan for the Library, which is expected to be presented to the City Council in the spring.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in both meetings. For more information, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/library or contact Simpson at (650) 329-2403 or paula.simpson@cityofpaloalto.org.
Safecracker hits Avenidas senior center
A burglar or burglars went to a lot of effort to break into Avenidas, the Palo Alto senior center, over the weekend -- only to come away with not much.
Palo Alto Police Sgt. John Costa said someone broke into a second-floor window and then hacked into a safe in one of the center's offices.
But the safe had less than $100 in it.
The burglary occurred between 5 p.m. Friday and Monday morning, when the center re-opened, Costa said. He noted that police feel protective of the center, as they do of schools, churches and synagogues.
Nothing else in the center was disturbed, he added.
-- Don Kazak
Earthquake fundraiser and clothing drive
Next week, Castilleja School will attempt to raise $25,000 and collect 40,000 pounds of clothing for victims of the Kashmir earthquake.
Items and donations can be dropped off at Castilleja School, 1310 Bryant St., Palo Alto.
Donors should pack clothing in duffel bags, suitcases and plastic bags, and if possible, donate $1 per pound of clothing to cover shipping. The items will be delivered to the Hidaya Foundation in Fremont, where containers will be shipped directly to earthquake victims.
A number of items are needed, including blankets, sleeping bags, quilts, coats, warm winter clothes, socks, mittens, gloves, caps and scarves. Weight estimates include five to seven pounds per grocery bag, 25 to 30 pounds per 30-gallon garbage bag, and 40 to 50 pounds per medium-sized suitcase.
For more information, call Karen Tobey at 328-3160.
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